Gas-engine.



PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

V. G. APPLE.

GAS ENGINE.

unmmmn HLBD nno.5.1eo4.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.13u00 7250?? @irai/C6755 @Avv/2 C?) CM/h No. 811,757. PATENTBD FEB. a, 1906.`

v. ef.l 9111.5 i GAS ENGINE.

APPLITIOX FILED DBO. 5,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q WW r1.

PTENTBD FEB, a, 1906.

V. G. APPLE.

GAS BNGNE. APPLICATION FILED DEG. 5. 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET S- PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

V. G. APPLE.

GAS ENGINE.

UPLIGLTIGN FILED 320.51904.

4 SHIRTS-SHEET 4.

F7319' Wl UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VINCENT G. APPLE, 'OF DAYTON, VOHIO.

GAS-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

Application ilhid December 5, 1904. Serial No. 235,6 83.

To JZ whom it may concern.'

Be it'knowii 'that I, VINCENT G. APPLE, of

'1)avton, in the'countyff Montgomery and Stilte of (lliio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engines; and I lioroby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referi-iicc boinc had to the accompanying draw# ings, which forni part of this specilication.

My invention relates to gas-eiigines,'aiid more particularly to gas-engine construction adapted for motor conveyances, such as autoi iiobilcs motor-launches, i and the like.

lloretoiore it has been customary in the construction of automobiles to provide vertical iiiultiple-cylinder iis-engines ada ted to bo placed upon the ont' ofthe vehicle;

y Lbiit tlieseengines are usually unsightly and uiiattractive in appearance, and it is thereorc customary to provide a hood or bonnet extending from side to side of the frame and from the-front thereof to the dashboard to completely coverthe env-ine. One of thesalientobjects of iny invention is to provide a. bonnetless gas-engine construction, `the engine and its a purtenances being constructs and arrange to presenta pleasing appearance.

A further ob'ect is to provide an engine construction w erein all the working parts are normally concealed and rotected from dust and dirt and yet to so is` ose and collocate the parts of the engine t at those elemen ts thereof which are apt to require attention or inspection are readily accessible and are in position for easy manipulation in making repairs, &c.

iurthe'r, it is an objet of my invention to provide a novel construction of gas-engine which in its association with the frame of an automobile or 'launch' will materially strengthen the frame construction, will afford strong rigid bearings for the engine-shaft at such points es bearings are advantageous, and will otherwise be of advantage in the construction, as will hereinafter more fully appear. A

4Numerous will become apparent vfrom the following description, taken in coii'unction with the acl com nyin drawings, illustrative of the applica ion o Yan en ine employing my inventiontoan antonio ile.l i i In said drawings, F' re 1 vis a front or end elevation of an automo ile` equipped with en engine einbod ying my invention. Fig. 2 is a other objects of this invention side elevation with partsin section of the front end of the vehicle. F ig.,3 is a vertical section of the engine on liii'e 3 3 of Fir. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the construction of one of thel supporting-legs of the engine. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively face and sectional views of the engine {ly-wheel.

Throughout the drawin s like characters of reference refer always to li e parts.

In the drawin rs, A indicates the front axle oftlievehicle; B ,itswheels; UC,itss rin s; D D, two side pieces of the framing, an E t e dashboard.

The engine (generally indicated as F) is preierabl a vertical multiple-cylinder engine, pre erably having four cylinder-casings 10 10 arran ed in longitudinal alinernent and preferab y made in a solid casting having a suitable base-flange l. supported upon truss members or supports l2 12 s anning the space between the side bars l) of the frame and supported on or secured to said side bars. The truss meinbcrs 12 may be of any suitable contour to effeet the results sought and are preferably more numerous than the cylinders of the engine, one of said trusses being arranged between each pair ofadjoining cylinders and The engine F is fprovi ed. I prefer thats-ach of the trussesV sho ld consist of a bridge-piece 13, preferabl arched or elevated somewhat at its center, s. V-sha ed truss member 14, coextensive with the bri ge-piece 13, and a strut member 15,ve1;ticaily connecting the elevated central portions of the `bridge member and the depressed central portion of the truss member.

ntegial sup orting and bracing a es 16 16 of suitable siiape to overlieand bear aterally against the inner side of the frame members Dfare provided at the extremities of the truss member, and bolts 17 17, assing through the'frame members and sai flanges, secure the Vtruss members inposition upon .the frame. .At theii` lower central portions the truss members 1740i the'frame-pieees are provided with apertures through which takes a tie bolt and rod18, bearing spacing-thimbles "farranged betweenthe truss members' and ltion. Each supporter truss member 12 isl constructed to provide a shaft-hanger bearing 20, and one of these suppoiits being provided between each adjacent pair of enginecylinders, and at each end of the engine the crank-shaft 21 of the engine receives bearing on cach side f each of its cranked portions 22, so that the most eflicient possible support is all'orded said crank-shaft.

Preferably one of the legs or truss members 12 is provided, as shown in lfig. 5, with ducts leading therethrough to all'ord intake and exhaust passages,'the intake-passage 23 preferably having its outer end 24 disposed 1n osition to communicate with a carbureter to e arranged between two ofthe. truss members and leading to a point of communication with the engine-frame., and the exhaust-passage extending from a point of communication with the engine-frame down through the leg to an externalvportion 26, where it can make connnunication with the exhaust-pipe 27, leading to the exterior of the machine.

Preferably an imperforate shield 28 is se.V

cured below the truss-supports l2 l2 to completely close the under Side of the framework, said shield extending to and connecting with the'imperforate face-plate 2t), closing the front end of the machine. 'lhc rear end of the Frame is preferably left open. As'

sociatcd with thc truss member below the plate 28 l have also shown a riuliating-coil lt, and I prefer that the radiator should be so situated; but such construction is not herein l,made a feature of claim, and for the purpose of this invention the radiator might be situated anywhere desired.

Mounted on the engine-slurf t 2() directly in rear of the casing is the engine fly-whcel`30,

, preferably constructed, as shown in Figs, 6

and 7, to constitute a fan, which in its rotation draws air from the front portion of the machine, and thereby tends to withdraw air from the crank-space in front thereof.

The base -11 of the engine l(` is pri'iferably mounted in suitable recesses 3l, formed in the crest or elevated portion of the bridgepiece 13 of each truss-support, said base )elng held to each of the said supports l2, as by bolts 32.

The engine-casing l() has preferably formed integrally therewith ducts or assages 33 and 34 for the carbureted and ex iaust gases, so diposed that their lower ends communicate irectly with the corresponding intake and outlet ducts 23 25; but the specific arrangement ofthe ducts 33 34 in their association with the cylinders is not a feature. of the present ease and is not here claimed.

At its upper end the cylinder-casing l0 is` provided with a flange 35,between which and the said flange l1 extends a thin sheathing member 36, preferably of some' metal susceptible of receiving anp attractive finish and adapted to act as a water-'acket sheathing. The sheathing 36 is secure to the flan rc ll at its lower end by a band 37, which holds it to the base flange ll and at its upper end by a band 3S, which holds it to the top lange 35, making water-tight connections, so that water may be circulated between said sheathing and t le eylimler-casing Preferably the portion of the sheathing secured by the band 37 is bent over to forln a hinge member 3S), or a hinge. is otherwise provided at or adjacent said point by which is pivotally connected to the structure the hinged door or rover plate 4i), one ol` which extends along each sid(` ol' the engine, completely covering the space yfrom the. side of the casing to the edge of the l'rame and from the dashboard to the front of the machine. The hinged arrangement olI these doors` or cover-plates 4() enables them to be thrown back, so that access may be readily had to thecrank-casing; but when they are in lowered or closed position they form practically continuations of the water-juelu-t sheathing and completely close the crankcasiug so far as its top is concerned, said crank-casing being open only at its rear end when the machine. is n1 normal condition. At or above the top of the sheathing 313 are also provided hinged doors or cover-plates 4l, which forln wholly or in parta1 canopy inelosing a valve-chamber, the two covers 4l being preferably pivoted at their lower edges, as al 42, and arranged when in raised or closed position to lneet centrally of the in achine at the top thereof at a suitable distance above the top.ol' the engine-cylinders. batches or fastenings 42 are preferably provided l'or releasably securing the doors 4l 4l in closed position; but when released they may swing upon their hinges 42 42 to the position shown in Fig. 4. 1n the space between the doors 4| and the/top of the engine are. arranged the valve mechanism, the wires l'or the sparkplugs, and such other, appurtenances and parts of a gasfengine as require care and attention and may be conveniently placed at or near the head end of the engine. All other parts which require attentm---such as the carbineters, the circulating-pump, and the like-ware placed in the crank-casing in position to be conveniently reached when the doors 4() 4() are open, the multiplicity of truss members all'ording convenient support for such devices. lrcferabl the doors 4l 4l do not extend quite the fu l length of the machine., but end at a fron-t casting 43, although such construction is not essential, the only re-' quiremcnt being that the doors 4l shallbe of suflicient extent and number to permit easy access to be had t0 the part mounted above the engine-cylinder, and it will be apparent that said doors might be made in several )arts or sections and each section made capable. of opening independently or that parts of the canopy structure might bc stationary.

f In many'ol"v the vertical engines now employed it is dillicult or impossible to remove the piston from the cylinders without practi- IOO cally disasscmbling the engine structure; but

my invention provides a construction where,

by the removal of the individual engine-pistons may be accomplished without the disturbance of any of the remaining parts of the on ine.

. eferring now particularly to Fi rs. b* and with the crank of the engine-shaft and arranged to be secured by bolts 49 to the piston-rod 46 to form the complete sectional piston-rod structure, The distance between the lower end of the cylinder and the engineshaft 21 is suoli that when the bolts 49 are loosenel and the parts 47 48 removed the piston ani its rod may be drawn down to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 4, after which they may be removed through the o en doorwa of the crank-casing, as indicate in dotted ines in said figure.

It will thus be apparent that by m invention I provide an engine wherein a l., of the valve parts, plug-wiring, and the like are dis-A posed above the engine-cylindors in a chamer inclosed by a canopy comprising doors which maly be readily o cned to give access tothe inc used parts, wllbrein the Aremaining parts which are apt to require attention are incloscd iii a crank -casing provided with cover-plates which may be readily o cned to permit easy access to said casing, an wherein the canopy and crank-case doors are associatod with a water-jacket in such a way as to alford an engine of pleasing external appearance, exhibitingr no working parts and requiring no hood. L Further, it will be apparent that by the saine construction I provide an extremely rigid, stron", and convenient support for the engine wliich acts to rive great strength to the vehicle-rarne- Fllirther, it will be seen that by the combination of the crank-casing open at its rear end, as before described,and substantially closed at other oints tbrou hout, in combination with the ari-like fly-w eel in rear thereof I provide a device which tends to exhaust the air from said casing and prevent the accumulation of dust and at the saine time prevent the accumulation in the easing of dust otherwise apt to be there Ideposited by eddy-currents'genertpd by the swift movement of the autoinci e. i

While I have described in somel detail an embodiment of my invention which I find to be highly advantageous and the s `ecic features of which I claim to be new, Ido not def siro to be understood as limiting myself to the exact constiuction shown and described further than as vspecified in the claims, as it will be apparent that numerous changes and moldifications of the construction 'mightbe made without departure from the piiit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In combination, vertical engine-c linders, supports therefor laterally extends beond the @gine-cylinders, an engine-crank slow the top of said su iports, valve-gearing above the engine-cylinf ers, a sheathing for the cylinders, a canopy arranged when in nor-V nial osition to constitutev 'a continuation` of thas eatliing and movable to give access to the valve-gearing, and doors arranged when closed to constitute a continuation of the cylinder-slieathing disposedy to ovcrlie thelaterally-extended portions of the supports.-

2.- In combination, vertical engine-e linders, supports therefor, valve-gearing a ove the engine-cylinders, a water-Jacket sheathing for the cyiindersrand amovable canop arranged when in` normal osition to constitute aeontinuation of thes eathing and inevable to give accessto the valve-gearing.

3. In combination, vertical engine-cylin ders, separated supports therefor laterally extended beyond the cylinders, mechanism a purtenant to the engine disposed abovet e engine-cylinders, mechanism appurtenant to the engine disposed between t e said supports, a sheathing for the cylinders, a canopy arranged when in normal osition to consti tute acontinuation of the s eathing and movableto give access to the mechanism above the cylinders, and doors arranged When closed to overlie the engine-supports, said canopy-doors and sheathing constituting the exterior of the en fine. Y

4. In combination, a frame, supports bridging the frame, a vertical engine-cylinder supported centrally on the frame, the en 'necrank below the top of the frame, and oors arranged when closed to constitute covers,

for the supports between the engine-cylinders and the supporti drame.

5. Ineombinatoma rame, sup orts bridgin said frame, a gas-engine e lin er supportodg centrally of said frame, t e engine-crank below the top ol the su port, valve-gearing `above the engine-cylin er, and an inclosure for the engine par-ts comprising an immovable central sheet structure constituting part of the cylin er water-jacket, and

movable doors arranged when closed toconstitute eontinuations of the sheathing and when open to give access to the enginefcrank and to the valve mechanism.

6. In combination, a vertical-cylinder en-I gine, a frame and trusses forsu porting said engine'in the freins, one of sai trusses com` prisin a bridge f piece extending from one side o the frameto the other, a truss ineinber thcr'ebelow and ra strut member connect g said bridge and'truss members.

IOO

having integra ly formed therein a 7. In combination, the Vertical cylinders of a gas-engine, the crank-shaft therefor, a frame and truss members for supporting the engine in said frame, each comprising abridlfe member` spanning the frame from side to side, a truss member therebeneath, a strut mem ber connecting the'bridge and truasl members and allordinw support to the crank-shaft.

S. In combination, an engine-cylinder having a "as duct therefor, of a supporting frame or the c linder comprising a member lissage arranged for communication with t 1e gasl duet of' the engine-cylinder to form a continuation therefor.

9. In combination, a gas-engine cylinder, gas inlet and outlet 'ducts associated with said cylinder, a frame, and means for supportinv said cylinder in thc frame, havin;r formed integrally therein passages for communication with the inlet and outlet ducts ol` the engine-cylinder to constitute continuations thereof.

10. In combination, a vertical-cylinder engine, a supporting-frame therefor, a crankcasing in t 1e frame open at its rear end only,

a crank-shaft within the easing, and a fan Il wheel arran red adjacent the open end of t 1e casing and i isposcd to propel air away from the open end of said casing.

11. ln combination, an engine comprising a cylinder, a crank and'a removable piston, a casing l'or the crank comprising a door arranged and adapted to permit the removal of the piston.

12. In combination, an engine eomprisin r a cylinder, a crank, a sectional piston-roti; the parts whereof arc separately connected, the piston and its associated piston-rod part being fashioned to permit their removal from the cylinder without disturbing the crank, and a easing for the crank comprising a door arranged and adapted to permit the removal of the said piston.

Intestilnony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflix my signature in presence ol' two witnesses.

VINCENT G. APPLE.

In presence of WlLBUlt M. APPLE, RoENE MONARY. 

